Following the November release of FHA’s fiscal 2018 report on the health of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund and increases in FHA loan limits, analysts at The Urban Institute have identified four FHA trends to watch for in 2019.

The mortgage banking industry has raised concerns about a legislative proposal that would eliminate the current government-sponsored enterprise market and create a new secondary market structure based on a Ginnie Mae model.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Loan Guaranty Service issued guidance to help detect, prevent and mitigate identity theft in connection with VA mortgage loans.

Market Condition Addendum to VA Appraisals Dropped; Farm Bill Maintains Local Eligibility for USDA Rural Housing Programs.

Agency mortgage business is proceeding normally as the partial shutdown of the federal government nears two weeks. FHA processing will likely be slowed, and there are still concerns about IRS transcripts. Federal flood in-surance remains in business.

The California Democrat is expected to focus on affordable housing issues and holding the Trump administration accountable.

Fannie and Freddie continued to see a slippage in the purchase market…

However, Steve Harris, president of MIAC Capital Markets, said he sees a weak market when it comes to “franchise” deals.

Several brokerage firms are working on MSR transactions…

Brian Benjamin of Two Rivers Mortgage & Investment in Red Bank, NJ, noted that since the bond market rally in late December, “I’ve seen a pickup in calls, but refis are still dead.”